2014 Deep Cleaning/Decluttering/ Organizing/Redecorating - Hall Closet

I've completed another one of the 26 rooms/spaces/areas that I'm planning to deep clean, declutter, organize and (in some cases) redecorate in our home this year. This time I tackled the hall closet. It's the smallest closet in the house, but I had somehow crammed an amazing amount of stuff in there. So much, in fact, that I had to finagle everything around to get the vacuum cleaner in and out!

I should say here that I have a reputation for being very organized, so I was tempted not to share these before photos. However, to keep myself accountable and to hopefully encourage those of you who are also on a decluttering/organizing mission this year, I'm just going for it.

As you can see, I have items stacked haphazardly . . .

and things just jammed in any 'ol way . . .

and since the door is at an angle, everything must be just so if I expect it to close correctly.

DEEP CLEANING: I started by completing emptying the closet, wiping down the shelves and walls and baseboards, and vacuuming the carpet.

DECLUTTERING: I had three containers with craft supplies (markers, colored pencils, scissors, glue) from my teaching days that I went through and combined into one container to use when I'm crafting with kids. I checked all the markers and glue sticks and threw out those that no longer worked. The extra containers went out on the container shelf in the garage. Then I sorted through everything else and found several items that could be donated to our local community outreach center.

There were a few items in the closet that I moved to other areas. For example, the baskets that I kept are now on the shelf in the laundry room alongside the other basket stored there.

ORGANIZING: This was meant to be a coat closet, but when we moved in I knew I was going to just use it for storage. We had an extra bookcase that we didn't need, but it was too long for this small closet. Luckily, I am married to a very handy man who cut it down so it fits perfectly!

I began putting things back in the closet, this time stacking them neatly and taking advantage of the vertical space. (Yes, I did go through every container before returning it to the closet!)

Robbie had the brilliant idea to hang the step stool on the door so it wouldn't take up any of the limited floor space. Here's the final result with everything back in the closet.

REDECORATING: Did you notice the change? Well, I guess it's not actually re-decorating as much as it is re-placing. I've been wanting a new vacuum cleaner for a while now, so this seemed like the perfect time to get one! Sounds logical to me. What do you think?